Donor Fundraising | Penelope Burk | Cygnus Applied Research

Cygnus is the research company behind

Donor-Centered Fundraising

AND

Penelope Burk

Penelope Burk’s
evidence-based solution
for raising money in a
changing giving
environment

It is more important now than ever to give. And, when I
give, I get back so much more and my life is fuller and
richer than before.

The charities I support have evolving stories that
showcase their flexibility in responding to real-life
situations rather than trying to force reality to confirm
to their worldview. This ability to be aware, nimble and
results-driven is what inspires me to give.

There isn’t room in my world for negative causes.
The more uneasy I feel, the more I work for change.

I don’t give for the tax break. I don’t give because I
get lots of emails asking me to. I give because I’m
passionate about the causes I’m helping. That’s it.
Plain and simple.

I view matching gift opportunities as very important
now, and prioritize causes that take this approach
when raising money.

We are making a conscious effort to scale back
so we can continue with the same level of charitable
giving as before. We don’t want charities to suffer
as much in this crisis.

As a young professional, I am looking for organizations
that I can grow with and engage with in more than one way.
I appreciate not-for-profits that want more than just
my money. The ones that also value my participation are
rare, but those that do get my support.

Show me a cause that has an idea and is going
somewhere, and I’m in!

What I want from not-for-profits are smart
plans, thoughtful outreach and meaningful impacts.
Same-old, same-old just winds up in the trash. Ask for
something substantial from me. If I buy in, I will walk
through fire to help make it happen.

I have not yet risen to a level that is noticed
by fundraisers’ rating tools, but do give
consistently. I have a large inheritance coming
which I intend to devote mostly to charity.
Engaging me now will determine who gets my
attention in the future.

Giving is a habit that needs to be modeled for us when
we are very young, practiced and improved as we live our
lives, and encouraged in our children. Nothing satisfies
me more as a parent than seeing my own children become
involved in a cause they care about – especially when
I care about it too.

What inspires me to give at a higher level is
when a not-for-profit shows an interest in me
and asks me in person to step up.

The days of “ask and you shall receive” are over.
It’s time for a more personal approach to fundraising.
Donors need to understand what they are giving to,
and why as well.

It’s more important now than ever to explain
to donors where their money is going.
There was a time when I didn’t think twice
about making a donation to a cause I believed in.
That has now changed. As I’m watching my money more
closely, I need to feel confident my gift is being
used wisely.